The outsole of my Merrell Chameleons blew out in the middle of a firefight in Afghanistan, and I wound up with large rocks lodged between the outsole and midsole while trying to break contact. This was very uncomfortable, distracting, and inconvenient. Due to this admittedly anecdotal experience, I lost all confidence in Merrell, although since then a pair of Trail Gloves that I got on ProDeal as beaters have performed very well.
We were issued Danner Combat Hikers pre-deployment, and I found them to be very uncomfortable on my feet, hot, cumbersome, and clumsy. I broke them in, and never wore them again.
After the "Merrell Incident," I switched to a the heavier boots that I had brought with me, a pair of Asolo Morans. They served me well, but I received a pair of Kayland Vertigo High's from an RFI dump, and once I put those on, my world changed. They have long since given up the ghost, but they lasted through my deployment and kept my feet happy. A key factor to my foot comfort was the use of a good insole, in this case a High Country Synergy Footbed from Lathrop & Sons, and Darn Tough socks, also issued. I cannot recommend that footbed enough; it may not work for you, but if it does, you're set. Later on we were issued Asolo Fugitives, but they didn't fit me well. As for the socks, I
still have the pairs I was issued, and I have not been kind to them over the years. Even so, I have not yet had to take advantage of their lifetime guarantee.
Rest Easy, Good Boots
After the Kaylands went tits up, I started hunting from a new set of boots, and reached out to Steve Lathrop. At this time I was going to school full-time and part-timing at REI, selling boots and the like, so I thought I knew about footwear. I got Steve on the phone, and he promptly blew my mind with knowledge. I wound up in a set of Lowa Khumbu II GTX on his recommendation, and later on in a pair of Lowa Renegade LL, both with High Country Synergy footbeds. If you have serious boot questions that can't be answered here, Lathrop is the place to go. Steve and his family are serious outdoorsmen who spend time in boots, and that, combined with their podiatry and pedorthy backgrounds allows a unique level of expertise.
I now only wear boots for especially rough terrain, or when carrying especially heavy things. Daily, I wear the Trail Gloves, and they are slowly redeeming Merrell. Beyond that the Altra Superior 2.0 gives me a bit more cushioning than the Trail Gloves, if required. I find that minimalist type shoes keep my feet and ankles strong, an that allows me to get way more out of boots when I do have to use them.